Newsweek on blogs: from competitor to cure-all

Newsweek has returned to cover blogs for the second time in three months. The sharp shift in tone, from skepticism to evangelism, sums up blogging’s trajectory.

In the May 20 story, blogs were interesting only as newspaper competitors. Journalist Steven Levy concluded, “Blogs are a terrific addition to the media universe. But they pose no threat to the established order.”

Now, on August 26, Newsweek decides “the fun has just begun.” Mr. Levy portrays blogs as friend-finders, PR-boosters, brainstorms, and potential life-proxies. “Real-life… sometimes intrudes on the Blogosphere. One day there may not be a difference.”

Mr. Levy even writes a pseudo-blog. (My bet is that Mr. Levy started anonyblogging in the last three months, inspiring his conversion to the Church of Blog.)

There’s even a hint of Newsweek‘s next story as his blog closes with a reminder to “call Glenn Reynolds and ask him if he’s made any money.” Yes, Mr. Levy, we’re working on it.